BRUNSWICK

When Brunswick’s Sam Cenescar prepares to lift off during a high jump event, the sophomore visually pictures himself getting the height to clear the bar.

That mental preparation has been working for Cenescar this indoor track season as he prepares for the upcoming conference and state meets in the coming weeks.

Cenescar is currently jumping at 6-6 during his meets this season, but is jumping higher in practice and hopes to improve his height this weekend when he competes in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Championships at Bowdoin College. The meet is slated to begin at 9:30 a.m.

“I’ll be facing a lot of the same athletes that I’ve competed against throughout the season,” said Cenescar. “Our team is looking forward to this.”

The Class A State Championships are Monday, Feb 19 at the University of Southern Maine Gorham campus.

While he and his teammates prepare for the upcoming meets, Cenescar focuses on what he needs to do to succeed. He not only polishes his skills during practice, he also works out in the gym outside of track.

“I think having a healthy body is a gift and I don’t want to abuse it,” said the jumper. “I live near a gym so I work out there as well. It’s all about putting in that extra mile to help make you better.”

Coach Dave Delois has seen his athlete improve since his freshman year, not only in his heights, but his maturity level.

“He has grown, a lot more focused on his events this year, he’s more in tune with it,” said Delois. “He’s become a little bit more grounded this year, he’s matured.”

Last year, Cenescar finished second in the Class A State Championships in the high jump (5-10), and was the only freshman to clear the opening height of six feet in both indoor and outdoor New England Regional Track Championships.

Cenescar, who also competes in the long jump and is running with the 4×200 relay team, has only been participating in track since junior high, yet has a lot to reflect on and learn from.

“I started track in junior high. I had a close friend who introduced me to it in sixth grade,” said Cenescar. “I did summer track from the ages for 12-15 as well. That was such a great program that only made me better.”

As his coach mentioned, Cenescar is maturing in front of everyone’s eyes. The sophomore enjoys photography, playing pick up basketball, and reading about history and how we got to where we are today. He also brushes up on his track and field history, noting former Olympic athlete Steve Prefontaine as a motivating factor.

Prefontaine was a member of the 1972 Olympic Team and once held the American record in seven different distance track events.

“I have read about him and his story pushes me,” said Cenescar.

The six footer also credits the many coaches he either works or has worked with refining his craft.

“Coach (Delois) pushes me in a lot of ways, he knows how to explain things to me,” said Cenescar. “Coach Heather (Greene) is someone who knows me and works with me, and how it works best for me, it’s nice to have that in a coach.”

Coach Delois says that his teammates learn from Cenescar and vice versa.

“He does have that upbeat personality that picks everyone up,” said his coach. “But I also see the older kids like the captains making an influence on him.”

While Cenescar will be facing tough competition in both the KVAC and State meets, he ultimately knows, he’s competing against himself.

“There are some tough jumpers in the conference and someone I compete with in States is Anthony Clavette from Scarborough,” said Cenescar. “I know I can beat 6-6, and hopefully can do that in the next coming weeks.”

The state record for the indoor high jump is 6-10, held by Lawrence’s Kevin Sawyer, set in 1983.